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C.21

To:	Board of Supervisors
From:	Supervisor John Gioia
Date:	March 31, 2009

Contra

Costa

County

Subject:

Review of Second Unit Ordinance

APPROVE	OTHER
RECOMMENDATION OF CNTY ADMINISTRATOR	RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE

Action of Board On: 03/31/2009

APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED

OTHER

Clerks Notes:

VOTE OF SUPERVISORS

AYE:

John Gioia, District I Supervisor
Gayle B. Uilkema, District II Supervisor
Mary N. Piepho, District III Supervisor
Susan A. Bonilla, District IV Supervisor
Federal D. Glover, District V Supervisor

Contact:

Catherine Kutsuris 335-1221

I hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of an action taken and entered on the minutes of the Board of Supervisors on the date shown.
ATTESTED: March 31, 2009
David Twa,

BY:	, Deputy

RECOMMENDATION(S):

Direct the Department of Conservation and Development (DCD) and the Office of County Counsel to evaluate the Second Unit Ordinance (Chapter 82-24 of the County Code) and to identify possible revisions to the Code for consideration by the Planning Commission and the Board which would increase the number of second unit applications particularly in communities such as Kensington, which have few second unit applications.

FISCAL IMPACT:

The cost for this type of analysis is estimated not to exceed $5,000 in staff time and can be incorporated in the DCD budget.

BACKGROUND:

Contra Costa County has had a second unit ordinance since 1987. On June 3, 2003 the Board of Supervisors approved a new second unit ordinance that required second unit applications to be considered ministerially without a public hearing. The change to the ordinance was made in order to comply with Government Code Section 65852.2 which addresses residential second units.

BACKGROUND: (CONT'D)

Since 2003, the Board has approved two additional modifications to the Second Unit Ordinance allowing these units to be established on properties within agricultural zoning districts and to allow larger units on agricultural zoned properties of five acres or more. Since 2004, an average of 31 second unit applications were filed each year. These units provide needed affordable housing in our County. It is appropriate to review the ordinance and to identify standards which may be amended to encourage additional residential second units to be constructed particularly in communities with relatively fewer applications such as Kensington.